Letranites urged to control emotions in Game 3

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – The president of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran is appealing to Letranites to control their emotions as the Knights battle the San Beda College Red Lions in what is expected to be a highly charged Game 3.

In a letter addressed to Letranites, Rev. Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana urged the supporters to "give all our support and rally behind (the Knights) in their endeavor to play in the true spirit of fair game and sportsmanship."

"While we expect that the game would be marked with heightened drive to win, we must always defend the ideals of a true Knight – decent, noble and gallant," Lana wrote.

"Let us not be carried away by our emotions that would embarrass our worthy opponents and always maintain grace under pressure," he added.

"Let our cheers and yells be within the bounds of acceptable norm of conduct, intensifying the Arriba spirit in all that it stands for."

The Knights forced a do-or-die Game 3 in the NCAA Finals after defeating the Red Lions, 64-55, in Game 2 of the Finals last Saturday. San Beda won Game 1, 62-60.

The series took a more dramatic turn after the Letran head coach Louie Alas was caught making a “slit-throat” gesture in Game 2, leading referee supervisor Romy Guevara to confront the coach in the dying moments of the game.

Alas has written a letter of apology to the NCAA management committee and has also apologized to the NCAA board last Monday.

"I've already submitted my written apology to Fr. Vic (Calvo) because it’s time to move on and start focusing on our Game Three preparations," Alas told Joey Villar of The Philippine Star.

Guevara has yet to submit his own letter of apology. -- With a report from the Philippine Star